NFL Player News

Akers rushed 13 times for 48 yards and brought in his only target for two yards during the Rams' 20-17 win over the 49ers in their NFC Championship Game matchup on Sunday.

Akers navigated a shoulder injury that led to a brief exit from the contest in the first half, and while his final yardage total was nothing to write home about, he was more efficient than during a difficult divisional-round performance against the Buccaneers. The second-year back fumbled twice in that game and also was held to 2.0 yards per carry, while Sunday's performance saw him at least average a slightly more palatable 3.7 per tote and not turn the ball over. Akers did outpace Sony Michel by only three carries, but that was partly the byproduct of the former's aforementioned temporary in-game absence. Given Akers is arguably the more explosive and higher-upside option of the two, it's likely he maintains a lead-back role in the Super Bowl LVI matchup versus the Bengals on Sunday, Feb. 13.

Edwards-Helaire rushed six times for 36 yards and added a four-yard catch on two targets in Sunday's 27-24 overtime loss to the Bengals in the AFC Championship Game.

Edwards-Helaire worked in a change-of-pace role behind Jerick McKinnon, who totaled 95 yards on 15 touches. McKinnon will be a free agent this offseason, but Edwards-Helaire -- who was selected in the first round of the 2020 Draft -- has been unable to grab the leading role in Kansas City's backfield by the horns over his first two seasons. Given Edwards-Helaire's modest production, the Chiefs likely will bring in competition for touches this offseason, either by re-signing McKinnon or adding an alternative option via free agency or the draft.

Akers (shoulder) has returned to Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the 49ers, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Akers hurt his shoulder in the first half but gained clearance to return prior to halftime. He'll return to a leading role in the Los Angeles backfield.

McKinnon rushed 12 times for 65 yards and caught three of four targets for 30 yards in Sunday's 27-24 overtime loss to the Bengals in the AFC Championship Game.

McKinnon was the leading backfield option for the Chiefs, mustering 95 yards from scrimmage on 15 touches compared to Clyde Edwards-Helaire's 40 total yards on seven touches. The 29-year-old McKinnon will be a free agent this offseason, but his strong postseason performance as both a rusher and a pass catcher should lead to a robust market for the running back, be it in Kansas City or elsewhere.

Perine recorded three receptions on four targets for 43 yards in Sunday's 27-24 overtime win over Kansas City in the AFC Championship Game.

Perine didn't see a single carry, with Joe Mixon instead seeing all the work out of the backfield on the ground. However, Perine scored on a 41-yard screen pass late in the first half, which began Cincinnati's comeback effort. Perine isn't likely to see a major role in the Super Bowl, but he's flashed effectiveness as a pass catcher at various points throughout the campaign.

Mixon rushed the ball 21 times for 88 yards in Sunday's 27-24 overtime win over Kansas City in the AFC Championship Game. He added three receptions for 27 yards.

Mixon was the only running back to get a carry out of Cincinnati's backfield, and he worked fairly effectively on the ground. His longest rush of the day went for 23 yards late in the first quarter and pushed Cincinnati into field-goal range for their first score of the game. Mixon also was a major contributor in the team's game-sealing drive in overtime, as he broke off a 13-yard run to set up a field goal three plays later. He now has topped 100 total yards in consecutive games heading into a Super Bowl matchup against either the Rams or 49ers.

Akers (shoulder) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against San Francisco, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Akers went to the locker room to have the injury examined after rushing six times for 31 yards and adding a two-yard catch in the NFC Championship Game. Sony Michel will take over as the Rams' leading backfield option in Akers' absence.

Wilson (ankle) is inactive for Sunday's NFC Championship Game at the Rams, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Wilson managed just one limited practice this past week due to a low-ankle sprain suffered in the 49ers' divisional-round win at Green Bay. With a mostly healthy backfield otherwise, San Francisco will keep Wilson in street clothes Sunday. Aside from lead back Elijah Mitchell, the trio of JaMycal Hasty, Trey Sermon and Trenton Cannon are on hand for RB and special teams reps that linger.

Gore is inactive for Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Bengals.

With Darrel Williams (toe) active, Gore is the odd man out in Kansas City's backfield Sunday. Also in the mix on that front are Jerick McKinnon and Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who shared work in last weekend's divisional-round win over Buffalo.

Williams (toe) is listed as active for Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Bengals, Herbie Teope of The Kansas City Star reports.

After logging a full practice Wednesday, Williams, who was inactive for last weekend's divisional-round win over Buffalo, was listed as limited Thursday and Friday, before being officially deemed questionable ahead of Sunday's contest. While Williams is in uniform, it remains to be seen how much of a workload he'll see in his return to action, with both Jerick McKinnon and Clyde Edwards-Helaire also in Kansas City's backfield mix. With that in mind, Williams, who recorded 144 carries for 558 yards and six TDs to go along with 47 catches for 452 yards and a pair of receiving scores in 17 regular-season appearances, profiles as a hit-or-miss fantasy option versus Cincinnati, while coming off his toe injury.